Scaffold apparatus, method and system

ABSTRACT

Scaffold components and system for coupling a horizontal member to a vertical member of a scaffold, comprising a horizontal member and a wedge head attached to each end of the horizontal member each wedge head having an associated wedge assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/461,938 filed on Jan. 25, 2011, entitled “SCAFFOLD SYSTEM”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to modular scaffolding systems that are erectedas impermanent structures to support platforms. Scaffolding is used,inter alia, in the industrial, commercial, petro-chemical, power source,general industry and residential construction markets.

BACKGROUND

In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal OccupationalInjuries (CFOI) reported 88 fatalities occurred in the year 2007 relatedto the use of scaffolds and many more injuries. Twenty-seven percent(27%) of the fatalities and many of the injuries involved falls off ofwelded frame scaffolds over 25 feet high during the installation of thescaffolds. Safety officials recommend that scaffolding falls bepre-empted through the use of sequential erection techniques. Thisinvolves installing guardrails and standards at regular distances alongthe scaffold such that the exposed platform edge is not greater than abay length between intervals. The use of safety harnesses or beltstethered to guardrails during the erection process is also a recommendedsafety practice. However, the use of safety harnesses to deter fallinjuries during scaffold erection is quite limited due to the componentsused in conventional scaffolds. The nature and design of conventionalscaffold components, as described herein, disadvantageously do not allowthe effective use of safety harnesses during the erection process.

Tube and coupler scaffolds are so-named because they are built fromtubing connected by coupling devices. Due to their strength, they arefrequently used where heavy loads need to be carried, or where multipleplatforms must reach several stories high. Components of scaffoldsinclude vertical standards having coupling rings or rosettes, horizontalcomponents such as ledgers and guardrails coupled to the coupling ringsor rosettes, footings, decks/platforms and diagonal braces. Theirversatility, which enables them to be assembled in multiple directionsin a variety of settings, also makes them difficult to build correctly.

Conventional scaffolding systems have various components. FIG. 1illustrates a supported scaffold 100 consisting of one or more platformssupported by rigid support members such as poles, tubes, beams,brackets, posts, frames and the like. More specifically, the supportedscaffold 100 includes the following components: deck/platform 101,horizontal members, or ledgers 102, vertical standards 103. Additionalcomponents include diagonal braces to increase the stiffness andrigidity of the scaffold 100.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a vertical standard 103. Vertical standardsare typically cylindrical tubes 200 comprised of hot-dip galvanizedsteel or aluminum. A collar with an expanded or reduced diameter or aspigot at either or both ends of the vertical standard facilitates thejoining of vertical standards from end to end. Rosettes 201 arepositioned and then welded or otherwise attached along the tubesproviding connections for horizontal members and diagonal braces. Thevertical standard can have from one to 8 or more rosettes placed alongthe tubing using a predetermined spacing between rosettes, for example,about every 20 inches.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ledger 102. A ledger is a horizontal member thatserves as both a guardrail and bracing element. The ledger 102 iscomprised of tubing 300, heads 301 and wedges 302. Ledgers 102 areavailable in different lengths, depending on the scaffolding bay length,deck type and load. It is the conventional manner in which these ledgersare coupled to vertical standards that contribute to scaffolding fallsas further described herein. Once the tubing on a level is installed,decks or platforms 101 made of, e.g., hot-dip galvanized steel,aluminum, wood or an aluminum frame with plywood board are installed toallow workers to traverse the scaffold 100 and install the guardrails(e.g., ledgers 102).

Referring now to FIG. 4, wedge 302 is shown being hammered into the slotor gap of head 301 at the end of a ledger 102 so as to couple it to therosette 201 of the vertical standard 200. This must be done by a workerfirst at the proximate end of the ledger 102 and then at the distal endof the ledger 102. However, as the proximate end of the ledger 102 isbeing coupled to the vertical standard using the wedge 302, the distalend of the ledger 102 is free and uncoupled, that is, until the workercan traverse the platform to the distal end of the ledger 102 and hammerin a wedge 302 at the distal end. During this time, the distal end ofthe ledger 102 remains uncoupled from the vertical standard. Hence, ifthe installer is harnessed to the ledger 102 and the scaffold tiltstoward the uncoupled, distal end, the installer may tumble down theplatform and the safety harness will exit the uncoupled end of theledger, providing no measure of safety to the installer.

A conventional rosette 500, as seen in FIG. 5, has a central aperture503 to receive the vertical tubing, four small openings 501A-D tofacilitate right-angled connections and four larger openings 502 A-D tofacilitate connections at certain plurality of angles. Typically, avertically and horizontally slotted head 504 coupled to the end of aledger is positioned with respect to the rosette 500 such that thehorizontal slot of the head 504 is positioned over and under the rosette500 and the vertical slot of the head is aligned with an aperture of therosette 500. A wedge 302 is then hammered into the vertical slot (orgap) to couple the ledger 102 via the head 504 to the vertical standard103 via the rosette 500 using, inter alia, frictional force. Note that,disadvantageously, until the wedge 302 is installed, there issignificant play between the rosette 500 and head of a horizontal membergiving rise to safety concerns. Furthermore, once installed, wedgesoften work free when workers traverse the platform. When these wedgeswork free, the scaffold can become unstable and collapse. Further, evenif the scaffold does not collapse, steel wedges, which, as seen in theFigure, are not integrated into the head or the ledger, can fall fromthe scaffold injuring workers below.

What is desired is a scaffolding apparatus that is configured to coupleeach end of a ledger (also referred to herein as a horizontal member) toa vertical standard (also referred to herein as a vertical member)simultaneously, and which has an wedge assembly mechanism that allows asingle installer to insert and lock wedges at both ends of thehorizontal member substantially simultaneously to the vertical standard.The invention provides such an apparatus.

SUMMARY

The invention comprises a scaffold apparatus that overcomes the safety,rigidity, and labor issues inherent in conventional scaffold systems.The ring, collar, rosette or component with similar functionality, isreferred to as a rosette with respect to the invention; the verticalstandard or component with similar functionality, is referred to as avertical member with respect to the invention and the ledger, guardrailor component with similar functionality is referred to as a horizontalmember. The use of the foregoing terms is not to be interpreted aslimiting the scope of the invention.

As noted herein, components of the invention include at least onehorizontal member and a wedge head attached to each end of thehorizontal member. A wedge assembly is located partially within thehorizontal member and each wedge head, each wedge assembly having ahandle coupled to a wedge portion for coupling the wedge head to avertical member.

A rosette having a set of radially arranged cut-outs, the verticalmember affixed in coaxial alignment with the rosette, is provided toreceive the wedge head having mating elements corresponding to theradially arranged cut-outs of the rosette, wherein, when the matingelements of the wedge head are received in the radially arrangedcut-outs of the rosette, the wedge assembly, when actuated, causes thewedge portion to rigidly couple the horizontal member to the rosette.The handle of the wedge assembly is springably coupled to the wedgehead, said handle, when actuated, being operable to cause the wedgeportion to partially extend or retract into the wedge head. A rod orcable within the horizontal member, couples the first handle of thewedge assembly to the second handle at the other end of the horizontalmember, causing it to simultaneously engage or disengage the wedge atthe other end of the horizontal member.

Each of the wedge heads have at least one or a plurality of matingelements or prongs dimensioned to fit within a grid of apertures formedin the rosette, the wedge head having an opening or slot through whichthe wedge portion wholly or partially extends to lock the wedge head,and hence, the horizontal member to the rosette and wholly or partiallyretracts to unlock the wedge head, and hence, the horizontal member fromthe rosette.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, manychanges in construction and widely differing embodiments andapplications of the invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined herein and in the appendedclaims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purelyillustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained byreference to the following Detailed Description, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a scaffold structure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a vertical standard;

FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional ledger with unsecured wedges;

FIG. 4 illustrates the installation of an unsecured wedge into aconventional ledger head;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rosette and conventional head and wedge;

FIG. 6 is a rosette used with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of a vertical member of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a first embodiment of the wedge head of theinvention;

FIG. 9A is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of the wedgehead of the invention;

FIG. 9B is a second perspective view of a first embodiment of the wedgehead of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cam mechanism used in the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cutaway side view of a second embodiment being a horizontalmember in the unlocked position; and

FIG. 12 is a cutaway side view of a second embodiment being a horizontalmember in the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention comprises a scaffold system, and components thereof, thatovercomes the safety, rigidity, and labor issues inherent inconventional scaffold systems. The ring, collar, rosette or componentwith similar functionality, is referred to as a rosette with respect tothe invention; the vertical standard or component with similarfunctionality, is referred to as a vertical member with respect to theinvention and the ledger, guardrail or component with similarfunctionality is referred to as a horizontal member. The use of theforegoing terms is not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of theinvention.

As noted herein, components of the invention include at least onehorizontal member which horizontal member preferably has a wedge head ateach end thereof, alone or in combination with at least one verticalmember including at least one rosette affixed in coaxial alignmentthereon, the rosette having apertures for receiving mating elements orprongs of an wedge head (which may be a separate component of thehorizontal member, or an integrated portion at the end of the horizontalmember), a wedge assembly within the wedge head and horizontal member,the wedge assembly having a separate handle and wedge portion orintegrated handle and wedge portion, the wedge assembly at an end of thehorizontal member being responsively coupled to a wedge assembly at theother end of a horizontal member using a rod or cable or othertransmission means. Each wedge head may further include one or aplurality of prongs dimensioned to fit within a grid of apertures formedin the rosette. The wedge head has an opening or slot through which thewedge portion extends wholly or partially out of the wedge head to lockthe wedge head when activated by a handle, operable to couple thehorizontal member to the rosette

An aspect of the invention is a joint for use in coupling a horizontalmember to a vertical member having a rosette with a set of radiallyarranged cut-outs, a horizontal member further comprising a hollow tubehaving contained therein a wedge assembly, the wedge assembly having awedge portion at the end thereof which is wholly or partially extendableand retractable into a hollow tube or cavity of a wedge head and/orhorizontal member. The wedge head, located at the end of the horizontalmember, has mating elements corresponding to the radially arrangedcut-outs of the rosette. When the mating elements of the wedge head orthe horizontal member are received in the radially arranged cut-outs ofthe rosette and the wedge assembly is actuated using, e.g., a handle,causes the wedge portion to firmly join or couple the wedge head orhorizontal member to the rosette.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the top view of one embodiment of a rosette 600of the invention is shown. An embodiment of rosette 600 is circular inshape and has a breadth or extent. Such breadth or extent may be anymeasure appropriate to allow the wedge head to engage the rosette 600 asmore fully described herein. Rosette 600 has a central aperture 601 orcut-out in a substantially circular shape dimensioned to receive thevertical tubing of the vertical member. In another aspect, such centralaperture or cut-out may be any shape that corresponds to thecross-sectional shape of a vertical member. Once placed on the verticaltubing, rosette 600 can thus be welded or otherwise attached in aco-axial alignment with the vertical tubing of the vertical member. Aplurality of rosettes can thus be positioned and affixed along thelength of the vertical tubing. Between the outer circumference ofrosette 600 and the outer circumference of the central aperture 601 area plurality of radially arranged cut-outs 602 for receiving prongs of atleast one wedge head as further described herein. The grid arrangementof the radially arranged cut-outs 602 allow for multiple arrangements ofhorizontal members to the vertical member via rosette 600. As seen inFIG. 6, eight (8) radially arranged cut-outs are shown, although adifferent number of radially arranged cut-outs can be arranged onrosette 600. In an embodiment of the invention, the radially arrangedcut-outs 602 generally comprise trapezoids with inner and outer edgeshaving circular arcs of concentric circles of different radii. Theintersections of the line segments and arcs can be filleted, comprisinga concave easing of the interior corners to reduce stress concentration.On a portion of, and further cut out from, the inner and outer edges ofsuch trapezoids are arc shaped notches comprising a portion of a circlecentered on the trapezoid. The edges of intersection of each of theupper and lower surfaces of the rosette with the vertical, interiorwalls of the rosette can be rounded, beveled or chamfered. The radiallyarranged cut-outs 602 are dimensioned to receive vertical prongs of thewedge head. Stated otherwise, the vertical member includes at least onerosette having a set of radially arranged cut-outs, the vertical memberaffixed in coaxial alignment with the rosette, the cut-outs to receivethe wedge head having mating elements corresponding to the radiallyarranged cut-outs of the rosette, wherein, when the mating elements ofthe wedge head are received in the radially arranged cut-outs of therosette, the wedge assembly, when actuated, causes the wedge portion torigidly couple the horizontal member to the rosette.

FIG. 7 is one embodiment of a vertical member 700 of the inventionhaving a plurality of rosettes 600 positioned and affixed in coaxialalignment on vertical tubing 701.

FIG. 8 is a side view 800 of a first embodiment of the wedge head of theinvention wherein the handle and wedge assembly on at least one end ofhorizontal member 810 are integrated into the wedge head. Such wedgehead is shown coupled to rosette 801. Wedge head 802 includes anoptional finger bar (not seen) which is attached to, and extends from, atop side of wedge head 802 to a position on outer surface of horizontalmember 810. The finger bar strengthens the attachment of wedge head 801to horizontal member 810 and also protects handle 812 from damage.Rotatably integrated into wedge head 802 is a wedge assembly whichincludes wedge 818 which is biased by spring 803 wound around pin 804,handle 812 and a handle linkage assembly 806 which is rotatably coupledto wedge head 802 with pin 808 which is seated in openings in theapositioned inside walls of wedge head 802. Spring 803 includes atransverse portion on the end in contact with a top surface of wedge 818so as to both guide wedge 818 and apply downward pressure on wedge 818,which downward pressure is translated from pressure on wedge 818 torosette 801. Support 814 which is integrated into wedge head 802provides an upward force against the bottom surface of wedge 818 whichcounteracts the downward force of spring 803 on the top surface of wedge818.

A first extension on which pressure is applied by a user to lock orunlock the invention to a rosette is handle 812. An integrated offsetangled extension from handle 812 is the handle linkage assembly 806. Thehandle linkage assembly 806 has a plurality of apertures for coupling tocomponents such as the wedge and rod and to wedge head 802. Handle 812and handle linkage assembly 806 are rotatably coupled to wedge head 802with pin 805 and are movable along an arc of motion via guide 813 andpin 807. The first end of rod 809 is rotatably coupled to handle linkageassembly 806 with pin 811. The second end (not seen) of rod 809 iscoupled to a second wedge at the distal end of horizontal member 810.

In a second embodiment as more fully described below, rod 809 and itsrelated mechanisms are replaced with a cable which couples a firsthandle linkage assembly in a wedge head at one end of a horizontalmember to a wedge head at a second end of the horizontal member. Thetension of the cable operates to bias the wedges at each end of thehorizontal member simultaneously in either the extended (locked) orretracted (unlocked) position depending on the position of theirrespective handles. As noted below, the cable can be threaded aroundinternal pins, wheels and axles and biased with, inter alia, springs.

In operation, the wedge head 802 is at one end of the horizontal member810. The wedge head 802 has handle 812 pivotably coupled to the wedgehead 802 with the end of the handle 812 internal to the wedge head 802being integrated at a first end to the handle linkage assembly 806. Thehandle linkage assembly 806 is pivotably coupled to the wedge head 802,a distal end of a wedge 818 being rotatably coupled with a pin 808 orsimilar mechanism to the handle linkage assembly 806 at a mid-sectionthereof. The wedge 818 is biased by a transverse portion of spring 803causing the wedge 818 to press down against the face of a rosette whenthe wedge 818 is extended by the handle 802. The first end of a rod 809is coupled via a pin 811 or similar mechanism at a second end of thehandle linkage assembly 806 and the second end (not shown) of the rod iscoupled to a second wedge (not shown) for extension and retraction atthe distal end of the horizontal member. The coupling of the rod 809 andwedge 818 to the handle linkage assembly at the distal end of thehorizontal member are coupled via a rotatable cam mechanism as seen inFIG. 10 located within the hollow cylindrical horizontal member suchthat the movement of rod 809 to one of either the left or right (viamotion of handle 812 at either end) causes the wedges on both ends ofthe horizontal member to either simultaneously extend (for locking whenplaced on a rosette) or retract.

FIG. 9A is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of the wedgehead 802 of the invention (without the rosette) showing handle 812 inthe up position which causes the wedge 818 to be into the extendedposition, thus operable to lock a horizontal member into a lockedposition when first placed on a rosette.

FIG. 9B is a second perspective view of a first embodiment of the wedgehead 802 of the invention (without the rosette) showing handle 812 inthe down position which causes the wedge 818 to be into the retracted,unlocked position.

FIG. 10 is a portion of a horizontal member showing a cam mechanism 1001pivotably coupled at the center of a cam to the horizontal member, theends of the cam pivotably coupled to each of the distal ends of rod 809,operable to cause both rods 809 to be simultaneously movable into anextended or retracted position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a second embodiment 1100 of the invention. Asseen therein, a cable 1101 having a first end 1101A and a second end1101B, couples a first handle 1103 and linkage assembly in a first wedgehead 1105 at one end of a horizontal member 1107 to a second handle 1104at the second wedge head 1106 via pulley 1102 at a second end of thehorizontal member 1101. The first wedge head 1105 serves as a housingaround portions of the first handle 1103 and second wedge head 1106serves as a housing around portions of the second handle 1104.

More specifically, first handle 1103 is dimensioned as a substantiallyhorizontal handle grip extension 1103A having a substantially verticalwedge 1103B extending in a substantially orthogonal direction due to anincurvature from the horizontal handle grip extension 1103A. Cablelinkage assembly 1103C is located proximate the bottom of the verticallock extension 1103B and serves as an anchor point from first handle1103 to first end 1101B of cable 1101.

Second handle 1104 is dimensioned as a substantially horizontal handlegrip extension 1104A having a substantially vertical wedge 1104Bextending in a substantially orthogonal direction due to an incurvaturefrom the horizontal handle grip extension 1104A. Cable linkage assembly1104C is located on the bottom of the horizontal handle grip extension1104A between the end of the horizontal handle grip extension 1104A andthe point of curvature from the horizontal handle grip extension 1104Ato vertical wedge 1104B and serves as an anchor point from second handle1104 to second end 1101A of cable 1101.

First handle 1103 has an aperture 1103D located proximate the point ofcurvature between the horizontal handle grip extension 1103A and thevertical wedge 1103B, said aperture 1103D to axially receive a pin,rivet, screw or other similar structure through the first handle 1103 soas to rotatably couple the first handle 1103 through the walls of thefirst wedge head 1105. The coupler, can include, but is not limited to abolt and a nut, rivet, revolute, pin and associated washers, bushingsand/or bearings, each coupler being part of linkage assembly.

Second handle 1104 has an aperture 1104D located proximate the point ofcurvature between the horizontal handle grip extension 1104A and thevertical wedge 1104B to axially receive a pin, rivet, screw or othersimilar structure through the second handle 1104 so as to rotatablycouple the second handle 1104 through the walls of the second wedge head1106. The coupler, can include, but is not limited to a bolt and a nut,rivet, revolute, pin and associated washers, bushings and/or bearings,each coupler being part of linkage assembly.

The tension of the cable 1101 operates to bias the wedge portions 1103B,1104B at each end of the horizontal member simultaneously in either thelocked or unlocked position depending on the position of theirrespective handles. The cable can be threaded around internal pins,wheels and axles and biased with springs. By actuating either of handle1103 or 1104, wedge portions 1103B, 1104B (respectively), can besimultaneously retracted or extended into the housing portions of wedgeheads 1105, 1106, respectively. Upward facing teeth 1103E, 1104E, areintegrated into the bottom of wedge heads 1105, 1106 to receive rosetteapertures when the wedge portions 1103B, 1104B are in the unlockedpositions, that being when the first handle 1103 and second handle 1104are in the upper position. After the rosettes are positioned within theteeth 1103E, 1104E (of which there may be a plurality integrated on thewedge heads 1105, 1006), force can be applied to either the first handle1103 or second handle 1104, which will cause both associated wedgeportions 1103B, 1104B, respectively, to move into the locked position.This simultaneous locking effect is accomplished by the action of thecable 1101 working in concert with the applied force of springs 1110,1111.

First handle 1103 and second handle 1104, and associated wedge portions1103B, 1104B are each springably biased into certain positions (extended(locked) or retracted (unlocked)) via springs 1110, 1111 which arecoupled via pins, axles or similar structure, to wedge heads 1105, 1106.

Referring to FIG. 11, which shows the unlocked position of the wedges,when first handle 1103 is in the up position, the second end 1101B ofcable 1101 is in the rightmost position and higher compression isapplied against spring 1110. At the same time, second handle 1104 is inthe up position, first end 1101A of cable 1101 is in the higher positionand higher compression is being applied against spring 1111.

Referring to FIG. 12, which shows the locked position of the wedges,when first handle 1103 is in the down position, the second end 1101B ofcable 1101 is in the leftmost position and less compression is appliedagainst spring 1110. At the same time, second handle 1104 is in the downposition, first end 1101A of cable 1101 is in the lower position andless compression is being applied against spring 1111. As can be seen,by actuating one handle to either lock or unlock its associated wedgeportion, it cause the other handle to move and either lock or unlock itsassociated wedge portion simultaneously.

The embodiments further include being in combination with at least onerosette attached, e.g., welded, to each vertical member. Each verticalmember may have a plurality of evenly or unevenly spaced rosettesaffixed, e.g., by weld, along a vertical member. The rosette has apattern or grid of apertures designed to receive the mating elements,such as prongs at the end of a horizontal member. A wedge head may belocated at the end of the horizontal member. The horizontal member is ahollow tube, preferably cylindrical in shape, having a first end and asecond end. At the first end and the second end may be fixedly attached,a wedge head, as more fully described herein.

The invention further includes the method for coupling a horizontalmember to a vertical member of a scaffold, comprising providing ahorizontal member having a wedge head coupled to each end of thehorizontal member, the wedge heads each having therein a wedge assemblypartially within the wedge head, each wedge assembly pivotably coupledto its respective wedge head, each wedge assembly further comprising ahandle communicably coupled via a wedge linkage assembly to a wedge, thewedge linkage assemblies being operatively coupled via a cam mechanismwithin the horizontal member; and disengaging either handle causing eachwedge to simultaneously, partially retract into its respective wedgehead. The method further includes the step of placing each wedge head ona corresponding rosette of a vertical member and engaging one of thehandles so as to cause each wedge to lock the ends of the horizontalmember simultaneously to the vertical members.

In an embodiment of the invention, the design of the wedge head at eachend of each horizontal member keeps scaffold components square andridged at all times utilizing predetermined angles via the grid design.The scaffold design of the invention reduces leading edge fall hazardsassociated with conventional scaffold systems. The scaffold design ofthe invention also reduces the need for hand tools during theinstallation and dismantling of horizontal members. Advantageously, thescaffold design of the invention reduces the amount of labor and timeneeded to install and dismantle a scaffold system.

The components of the invention can be fabricated from a variety ofmaterials, including galvanized or powder coated steel, iron or otherresilient material. The rosette preferably has a seven inch (7″)diameter, and the internal first and second rods can comprise twosquare, or cylindrical rods, made of e.g., steel or iron, each having awedge shaped wedge portion added or integrated at an end, the oppositeends being coupled to the crank/cam assembly. Using the grid pattern ofapertures on the rosette and head having prongs dimensioned to fittherein, various angles between the horizontal members can be obtained(e.g., 45, 90, 180 degrees) for the elevated working platform.

Advantageously, the invention allows the erector to engage and disengageboth wedge portions of a single horizontal member from a single pointreducing installation time and creating a safer work environment. Thisis because the only one of the handles between the first end and thesecond end of the horizontal member need be actuated to engage anddisengage each wedge substantially simultaneously. In this manner, up toeight (8) horizontal members can be attached to a single vertical memberby a single installer without changing his position.

The invention further comprises a grid of components that mesh togethercreating rigid angled connection among a plurality of horizontal membersat a vertical member. Both of the wedges which are part of a wedgeassembly, are locked into position at the rosette on a vertical memberfrom a single position. The internal wedge portions are locked intoplace by an external handle eliminating the use of any hand tools. Theexternal handle can also be locked into place creating a secondarylocking device.

The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Eventhough numerous characteristics and advantages of embodiments of theinvention have been set forth in the foregoing description together withdetails of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only andchanges may be made within the principles of the invention to the fullextent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used herein.For example, the concepts described herein for coupling horizontalmembers to vertical members can be used to couple bracing members tovertical members or to horizontal members. Coupling includes, but is notlimited to attaching, engaging, mounting, clamping, welding, bolting andcomponents used for coupling include bolts and nuts, rivets, clevis,latches, clamps, welds, screws, rivets and the like. Further, a rosettehaving eight (8) radially arranged cut-outs is described herein forillustrative purposes and a rosette having more or less radiallyarranged cut-outs is considered to be within the scope of thisinvention. Also, the invention describes a rosette having a standarddiameter of about seven (7) inches, however, any suitable diameter canbe used. The use of a wedge head with a pair, or a wedge head with twopair, of vertical prongs is described herein for illustrative purposesand a wedge head having one or more prongs is considered within thescope of this invention. The rosette can include any suitable cut-outshape that is dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong or set ofprongs of a wedge head. The vertical member can have any number ofcoaxially aligned rosettes attached thereto, the vertical spacing ofsuch rosettes being any such distance as is suitable for the intendeduse. More generally, the invention is a scaffold system with ahorizontal member, a vertical member with at least one rosette affixedin coaxial alignment to the vertical member and a wedge assembly withinthe horizontal member, portions of the wedge assembly for locking thehorizontal member to the rosette. The vertical member has a plurality ofevenly spaced rosettes affixed in coaxial alignment along the verticalmember and at least one rosette has a pattern or grid of aperturesdesigned to receive the end of the horizontal member.

1. An apparatus for coupling a horizontal member to a vertical member ofa scaffold, comprising: a horizontal member and a first wedge headcoupled to a first end of the horizontal member; and a first wedgeassembly partially within the first wedge head, the first wedge assemblypivotably coupled to the first wedge head, the first wedge assemblyfurther comprising a first handle communicably coupled via a first wedgelinkage assembly to a first wedge.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising the first handle of the first wedge assembly further beingspringably coupled to the first wedge head, said first handle, whenactuated, operable to cause the first wedge to fully or partially extendor retract into the first wedge head.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,further comprising a second wedge head coupled to a second end of thehorizontal member; and a second wedge assembly partially within thesecond wedge head, the second wedge assembly pivotably coupled to thesecond wedge head, the second wedge assembly further comprising a secondhandle communicably coupled via a second wedge linkage assembly to asecond wedge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising the secondhandle of the second wedge assembly further being springably coupled tothe second wedge head, said second handle, when actuated, operable tocause the second wedge to fully or partially extend or retract into thesecond wedge head.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a cammechanism and a first rod within the horizontal member, the first end ofthe first rod rotatably coupled to the first handle via the first wedgeassembly and the second end of the first rod pivotably coupled to afirst end of the cam mechanism within the horizontal member, the centerof the cam mechanism being rotatably coupled to the horizontal member.6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second rod within thehorizontal member, the first end of the second rod rotatably coupled tothe second handle via the second wedge assembly and the second end ofthe second rod pivotably coupled to the second end of a cam mechanismwithin the horizontal member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, the firsthandle operatively coupled to the first wedge and first rod and secondhandle coupled to the second wedge and second rod, the first rod beingoperatively coupled to the second rod via the cam mechanism, such thatwhen the first handle is moved, the second handle simultaneously movesin correspondence, such that the first wedge and the second wedge extendor retract simultaneously.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, in combinationwith a rosette having a set of radially arranged cut-outs, the rosetteaffixed in coaxial alignment with a vertical member.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein each wedge head has mating elements corresponding tothe radially arranged cut-outs of the rosette, wherein, when the matingelements of the wedge head are received in the radially arrangedcut-outs of the rosette, the wedge assembly, when actuated, causes thewedge to rigidly couple the horizontal member to the rosette.
 10. Anapparatus for coupling a horizontal member to a vertical member of ascaffold, comprising: a horizontal member and a first wedge head coupledto a first end of the horizontal member; a first wedge assemblypartially within the first wedge head, the first wedge assemblypivotably coupled to, and biased with reference to the first wedge head,the first wedge assembly further comprising a first handle and a firstwedge; a second wedge head coupled to a second end of the horizontalmember; a second wedge assembly partially within the second wedge head,the second wedge assembly pivotably coupled to, and biased withreference to the second wedge head, the second wedge assembly furthercomprising a second handle and a second wedge; and the first handle ofthe first wedge assembly or the second handle of the second wedgeassembly, when either are actuated, being operable to cause both of thefirst wedge and second wedge to fully or partially extend or retract,simultaneously.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising acable having a first end and a second end coupling the first handle andlinkage assembly of the first wedge head at one end of the horizontalmember to the second handle at the second wedge head via pulley at asecond end of the horizontal member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first wedge head serves as a housing around portions of thefirst handle and the second wedge head serves as a housing aroundportions of the second handle.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe first handle is dimensioned as a substantially horizontal handlegrip extension having a substantially vertical wedge extending in asubstantially orthogonal direction due to an incurvature from thehorizontal handle grip extension and wherein a cable linkage assembly islocated proximate the bottom of the vertical lock extension and servesas an anchor point from the first handle to first end of the cable. 14.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second handle is dimensioned as asubstantially horizontal handle grip extension having a substantiallyvertical wedge extending in a substantially orthogonal direction due toan incurvature from the horizontal handle grip extension and whereincable linkage assembly is located on the bottom of the horizontal handlegrip extension between the end of the horizontal handle grip extensionand the point of curvature from the horizontal handle grip extension tothe vertical wedge and serves as an anchor point from second handle tosecond end of the cable.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein firsthandle has an aperture located proximate the point of curvature betweenthe horizontal handle grip extension and the vertical wedge, saidaperture configured to axially receive a pin, rivet, screw or othersimilar structure through the first handle so as to rotatably couple thefirst handle through the walls of the first wedge head; and the secondhandle has an aperture located proximate the point of curvature betweenthe horizontal handle grip extension and the vertical wedge to axiallyreceive a pin, rivet, screw or other similar structure through thesecond handle so as to rotatably couple the second handle through thewalls of the second wedge head.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, whereinthe tension of the cable operates to bias the wedge portions at each endof the horizontal member simultaneously in either the extended orretracted position depending on the position of their respectivehandles.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, in combination with a rosettehaving a set of radially arranged cut-outs, the rosette affixed incoaxial alignment with a vertical member.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein each wedge head has mating elements corresponding to theradially arranged cut-outs of the rosette, wherein, when the matingelements of the wedge head are received in the radially arrangedcut-outs of the rosette, the wedge assembly, when actuated, causes thewedge to rigidly couple the horizontal member to the rosette.
 19. Amethod for coupling a horizontal member to a vertical member of ascaffold, comprising the steps of: providing a horizontal member havinga wedge head coupled to each end of the horizontal member, the wedgeheads each having therein a wedge assembly partially within the wedgehead, each wedge assembly pivotably coupled to its respective wedgehead, each wedge assembly further comprising a handle communicablycoupled via a wedge linkage assembly to a wedge, the wedge linkageassemblies being operatively coupled via a cam mechanism within thehorizontal member; and disengaging either handle causing each wedge tosimultaneously, partially retract into its respective wedge head. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of placing eachwedge head on a corresponding rosette of a vertical member and engagingone of the handles so as to cause each wedge to lock the ends of thehorizontal member simultaneously to the vertical members.